Determination of Camellia oleifera Abel. Germplasm Resources of Genetic Diversity in China using ISSR Markers

Camellia oleifera is one of the four woody oil plants in the world, which is widely cultivated in South China. To examine the genetic diversity of C. oleifera in China, the diversity and genetic relationships among and within major populations of 109 varieties of C. oleifera were analyzed using ISSR markers. Twenty-three ISSR primers out of 49 primers yielded approximately 487 legible bands. A total of 335 of these bands were polymorphic markers, and the ratio of polymorphism was 68.86%. From the results, Zhejiang province showed the highest populations genetic diversity (H value 0.18), while Guangxi population showed the lowest genetic diversity (H 0.0851). Base on the bands, the genetic similarity coefficient ranged from 0.61 to 0.93 using NTSYS2.10e software. When coefficient was 0.75, 109 cultivars were divided into 11 categories and categories I contain 79 varieties by UPGMA cluster analysis. The test varieties divided into 7 sub-groups when categories were 0.75, which show a close genetic relationship. Results advised that Hunan is the main producing area of C. oleifera, with enriched C. oleifera variety and complex topography, and therefore has a high genetic diversity. Meanwhile, the main varieties of C. oleifera in Hubei are imported from Hunan, which results in fewer varieties and reduces the genetic diversity of C. oleifera. The ISSR profiles can improve C. oleifera germplasm management and provide potential determine correlations between different varieties and its distribution in different province.